By Abraham Olayinka Ajibade

The Nigerian army has announced that its troops have killed a top commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State, South-east Nigeria. The army said the troops also arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state.

According to a statement on the army’s Facebook page, the troops killed the IPOB kingpin, Chinemerem, also known as “Bam Bam”, during a raid on a suspected hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo Local Government Area. The statement said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” the statement said. “A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.”

The army also said its troops intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa, Okigwe Local Government Area, and recovered a cache of ammunition and motorcycles after a shootout. “Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles,” the statement said.

In another operation in Orlu Local Government Area, the army said its troops arrested two notorious kingpins, Izuchukwu Emejuru, also known as “Kingkong”, and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as “Onyema”. “The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” the statement said.

The army also announced the arrest of a suspected terrorist, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, north-central Nigeria, and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition.

“These operations underscore the synergy and commitment of the security forces in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorist groups and criminals,” the statement said.